SYRACUSE, N.Y. - Neil Harris, 58, was a successful Miami Beach businessman who was looking for something new after retiring.

Strange as it may be to a winter-weary Central New Yorker, Harris was tired of south Florida's humidity, and wanted to find a northern city to settle in, one that offered "all four seasons."

His assistant Googled northern cities and after dismissing Boston, Harris was intrigued by the historic architecture of Syracuse's downtown and university. He moved here and became one of the area's biggest fans.

He calls Syracuse "my blanket," and says its people are the "salt of the Earth."

He calls it "dumb luck" that a drive with his brother brought him past the ranch at 301 Bradford Parkway.

In 2016, he bought the home and although he considered it a "beautiful the way it was," started a quarter-of-a-million-dollar project to convert it into something different, "not your typical 1950s ranch."

Since Feb. 2017, Harris says he has poured "my heart and soul" into the renovation.

"It was insane," was how he described the project, which involved the removal of many of the home's interior walls to create the modern open floor plan.

He gutted the home's two bathrooms, installed new hardwood floors, ceramic tile and carpeting.

Tall windows were installed to allow light to pour in; Harris says the home is bright inside even on cloudy days.

Two beautiful wood-burning fireplaces were installed in the living room/entertaining area of the house.

The house has two bathrooms and three bedrooms, though a 300-square-foot bonus room could be converted into a fourth.

Outside, he removed tall trees on the third-of-an-acre corner-lot property, helping to brighten up the home's interior, and designed the brick walkways and stone walls.

"The home has such an appeal now," Harris said. "There is nothing like it in the neighborhood."

Despite the usual delays and headaches that come with a renovation like this, Harris admits, "I really had a blast doing it."

(The home is being sold without any kitchen or laundry appliances. Harris is offering a $5,000 credit at the closing to a potential buyer for their purchase.)

An open house is scheduled for Sunday, March 4, from noon to 2 p.m.

THE DETAILS

Address: 301 Bradford Parkway, Syracuse, N.Y. 13224

Price: $447,000 (Owner is offering buyer a $5,000 credit at closing for appliances.)

Size: 2,364 square feet

Acreage: 0.33 acres

Monthly Mortgage: $1,779 (based on this week's national average rate of 4.34 percent, according to Freddie Mac, for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage with a 20 percent down payment. Fees and points not included.)

Total taxes: $6,702 (Based on assessed value of $160,000)

Built: 1948

School District: Syracuse

Kitchen: The new kitchen is bright and cheery with granite counters and ceramic tile backsplash. The kitchen opens into a dining area which has a view of one of the home's fireplaces. A sliding glass door leads out onto the backyard patio.

Bedrooms: The home has three very large bedrooms, with a possible fourth if new owner wants to convert a 300-square foot bonus room. The master bedroom is very spacious with many windows and two walk-in closets.

Bathrooms: The home has two bathrooms, which have both been completely renovated. A skylight keeps the master bathroom very bright. It features a tub, shower unit and vanity.

Living areas: The listing promises this is "not your typical '50s" ranch and the complete remodel has created the desired "open floor plan." The kitchen/dining area flows directly into the very large living room area, which has two wood-burning fireplaces. Owner describes the theme of the house as "clean and bright," and the home's many windows ensure the living area is bright "even on a cloudy day." A convenient laundry room has been built, as well as, a beautiful mudroom. Home has a partially finished basement with a decorative fireplace.

Outside: The home is built on a 0.33-acre corner lot. Owner removed most of the trees to create a sunny yard and added brick walkways and stonewalls to the property. The backyard is fully fenced in and has a back patio. There is a two-car garage.